Proposals due March 18 for A-21 funds for new positions

The A-21 program for clerical and administrative support is intended to foster development of new research programs by providing for funding that cannot be directly charged to grants and contracts.

Funding requests can come forward for new A-21 funds from colleges, departments, and approved/chartered research centers. Employment classifications that may be considered for this funding include university and classified staff in clerical and fiscal areas. Proposed positions are expected to be salaried (faculty and wage positions are ineligible). Priority will be given to proposals that demonstrate the fostering and development of new and/or expanding areas of research.

Examples of appropriate initiatives to be supported by this funding include, but are not limited to, the following: A new administrative position for college-level grant-writing support services, or a new clerical or administrative assistant for a department or research center to support expanded research activities.

The amount available for FY13-14 is estimated to be $100,000 in direct salary costs to be distributed to support new proposals selected in this cycle. The associate deans for research and graduate studies group (CARS/CAGS) will be responsible for reviewing proposals for funding and recommending awardees to the associate vice president for research.

To provide A-21 funding for new initiatives, all current A-21 funds made in the prior fiscal year are being reduced by a 10-percent linear reduction per year over a 10-year time frame. This approach provides a pool for new allocations at the beginning of each fiscal year. For more information or to submit a proposal, visit the limited submissions website at https://secure.research.vt.edu/ltdsubs/index.php?. If you have questions regarding this solicitation, contact Wendy Vaughn at vaughnw@vt.edu. For questions regarding the online submission of proposals through the limited submissions system, contact Beth Tranter at etranter@vt.edu.